Stage with moving parts

ABSTRACT

A device for constructing a stage includes fixed stage parts and movable stage parts. The device includes a set of actuators provided to be physically connected to the movable stage parts and each including a communication module for communicating with a server. The server includes a central communication module for communicating with communication modules of the actuators. A controller is connected to the server and has an operator interface including input means and visualizing means. The controller and server are configured to generate control signals for each actuator on the basis of an input via the input means. Control signals include a safety parameter which indicates a safety level, and an operator can activate different safety levels with different keys. The device is provided to execute control signals with a safety parameter which corresponds to the activated safety level.

The invention relates to a stage configured to move stage parts.

In recent years a lot of attention has been devoted in the entertainmentindustry to providing a complete experience. It is not just the artistor act that is important herein. The way in which an artist or act ispresented, as well as the setting, lighting and multimedia, is alsodeveloped further. Creativity is often impeded here in a practical sensebecause the technical means for developing certain ideas are notavailable.

Practical implementation is particularly difficult when predeterminedmovements of stage parts are desired. It is often possible to find asolution from an industrial application which can be used for thepredetermined movements. Integrating these solutions in an entertainmentproduction is however difficult, particularly when a plurality ofmovements and so a plurality of solutions must together form one whole.

An additional problem, which is more fundamental in practice, relates tosafety. Stage parts are often intended for carrying people. In practice,it is hereby no longer possible to use an industrial application in astage without any problem. This is because safety cannot be guaranteed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a stage in which movingparts can be integrated in a safe and flexible manner.

The invention provides for this purpose a device for constructing astage, comprising fixed stage parts and movable stage parts, wherein thestage comprises:

-   -   a set of actuators, each provided to be physically connected to        the stage parts and each comprising a communication module for        communicating with a server;    -   the server, which comprises a central communication module for        communicating with communication modules of the actuators;    -   a controller connected to the server, wherein the controller has        an operator interface comprising input means and visualizing        means, wherein the controller is configured to generate control        signals for each actuator on the basis of an input via the input        means;        wherein control signals comprise a safety parameter which        indicate a safety level and wherein an operator can activate        different safety levels with different keys, wherein the system        is provided to execute control signals with a safety parameter        which corresponds to the activated safety level.

The invention is based on the insight that different actuators,connected to one or more movable stage parts, must be actuated incentralized manner so as to be practicable in an entertainmentproduction. For this purpose the invention provides a server with acentral communication module. Each actuator also comprises acommunication module. Each actuator can thus be actuated from theserver.

By connecting a controller to the server an operator can control theactuators. An operator interface with input means is provided for thispurpose. Commands for the actuators can be input via the input means.The visualizing means guide the operator during inputting. Controlsignals are generated on the basis of the input. It will be apparentthat control signals are either generated directly by the controller,wherein the server functions only as an intermediary. Alternatively,control signals are generated by the server on the basis of an input ofthe controller. The server can here calculate control signals whiletaking into consideration product properties of the actuator, which werefor instance exchanged via the communication modules.

In order to guarantee safety, control signals are provided with a safetyparameter. This parameter is related to the nature and the context ofthe control signal. In an initialization phase or construction phase anoperator can request a movement of an actuator via a control signal. Theoutcome of the requested movement is as yet unknown, and thereforerequires a high-level safety check. Such a movement may be performedonly when a correspondingly high safety level is active. This means thatthe conditions are adapted and the people present are qualified tominimize the safety risks. On the other hand, when a determined movementof an actuator has been validated, a lower safety parameter can beallocated so that an operator may perform the movement during anentertainment event.

The safety level is set with different keys. By working with differentsafety keys it is possible in simple manner to allocate different rightsto different people. Each person is given a key which corresponds to thesafety level for which he or she is authorized. This way of working canbe easily controlled and managed well in a large entertainmentproduction. This also increases safety, because it provides a practicalsolution for correctly setting and managing safety levels.

Each actuator is preferably provided to transmit activity signals to theserver, wherein the controller is configured to generate verificationsignals for each actuator and wherein the server is configured tocompare the activity signals to the verification signals. The controllergenerates the control signals. Control signals can simultaneously alsoform the verification signals. Alternatively, the verification signalsare generated on the basis of the control signals in order to be able toperform a verification of the movement of the actuator. By comparingactivity of the actuator to a verification signal an additional safetyis obtained. Variation of movement of the actuator can be determined bythis comparison. The safety can be increased further by determining avariation or by undertaking a predetermined action on the basis of thevariation.

The controller is preferably further provided to set a thresholddifference value, wherein the server is configured to stop transmittingcontrol signals or to transmit a control stop signal when activitysignals vary from the verification signals by a value greater than thethreshold difference value. When a variation between an activity of anactuator and a verification signal becomes too great, it is assumed thatthere is a safety-compromising problem. The further movement of theactuator is therefore stopped. This is carried out either bytransmitting a stop signal as control signal or by stopping transmissionof control signals. The server is preferably configured to carry out thecomparison periodically with a period of a maximum of 10 seconds,preferably a maximum of 5 second, more preferably a maximum of 2seconds.

An end position can preferably be set via the controller for eachactuator, wherein the server monitors the end position. By monitoringthe end position it is possible to avoid an actuator moving a stage partoutside a safe zone. The set of actuators preferably comprises at leastone or more of a lifting device, a lift, a guide, a cable, a rotator, aroll drop, a turntable and a ground rail.

The visualizing means are preferably configured to visually reproducethe stage and to simulate movements of the actuators herein. Thisfacilitates setting of the movements of the stage parts withoutconsiderable safety risks being taken.

The activity signals and verification signals preferably comprise atleast one of a position, speed, load and acceleration.

The controller is preferably configured to form groups of actuators fromthe set of actuators and to relate movements of the actuators in thegroups to each other in a time block. Different groups of actuators canpreferably be formed in different time blocks. A plurality of timeblocks can preferably be formed for each group.

The controller is preferably configured to generate group verificationsignals for each of the groups, wherein the server is configured tobundle activity signals of actuators of each of the groups and tocompare them to the group verification signals.

A dead man's switch is preferably provided on the controller.

The different keys preferably each comprise a physical carrier which iscompatible with the controller.

The invention will now be further described on the basis of an exemplaryembodiment shown in the drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a stage which can be constructed with fixed and movablestage parts and with the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the manner in which signals can be transmittedin the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a further diagram of the manner in which signals can betransmitted in the device according to the invention.

The same or similar elements are designated in the drawing with the samereference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a stage 1 with a fixed stage part 2 and amovable stage part 3. According to the invention, a stage is defined asan assembly of components and elements on a ground surface, againstwalls, on ceilings and on support structures, these together forming thephysical and visual framing of an event. This event can be a live event,such as concert, stunt show, stage play, or can be a recording of avisual production. It is not precluded here that seating, when formingan integrated whole with the stage, is deemed at least partially part ofthe stage. It is thus possible to move the seating or parts of theseating in a space in order to thereby create different aspects andambiences of the stage.

In FIG. 1 a fixed stage part 2 is shown as raised floor portion. Relatedto this fixed stage part 2 is a plurality of movable stage parts 3,which together with the fixed stage part 2 form stage 1. FIG. 1 shows astage 1 with a plurality of different types of movable stage part 3. Itwill be apparent that this serves only by way of example in order toillustrate the possibilities of the invention. It will also be apparentthat stage 1 can comprise a plurality of fixed stage parts 2. Variousoptions are elucidated below as examples with reference to FIG. 1.

In the shown position, movable stage parts 3A and 3B form steps for easyentry onto stage 2. These stage parts 3A and 3B can for instance be slidunder fixed stage part 2 in order to clear the space in front of stage2. Alternatively, stage parts 3A and 3B can be moved upward in order toextend fixed stage part 2. In order to enable this movement of stageparts 3A and 3B a plurality of horizontal guide rails, which can retractmovable stage parts 3A and 3B under fixed stage part 2, is for instanceprovided. Stage parts 3A and 3B can also be moved out from under fixedstage part 2 via the guides. When stage parts 3A and 3B are moved in theheight, telescopic legs can be provided, with linear motors in order tochange the height of the legs.

Movable stage part 3C is a rotating disc. A rotating disc can beintegrated in the surface of a fixed stage part 2. Rotating disc 3C canbe driven by a rotator. A rotator is typically formed by an electricmotor which drives via a worm wheel a toothed wheel which is connectedto rotating disc 3C. The rotating disc 3C is then typicallybearing-mounted with a plurality of wheels in a circular guide which issituated under rotating disc 3C.

Movable stage part 3D is a platform which is suspended via cables from asupport structure. In the shown embodiment stage part 3D is round and issuspended via three cables from a support structure. At the top, thecables are typically held on a roller which can be operated by a motorso that the platform 3D can be moved upward and downward. The rollerscan optionally further be placed on horizontal and/or rotational guides,such that the platform 3D can perform not only an upward and downwardmovement but also a horizontal movement in the air. This allows platform3D to float through the air.

Stage part 3E is a walkway which can be moved upward and downward withthe right-hand side in the embodiment of FIG. 1. For this purposewalkway 3E is connected on the right-hand side to a lifting device. FIG.1 illustrates the manner in which in particular a combination of awalkway 3E and a platform 3D enables dynamic use of the stage.

Stage part 3J is a hook and shows an alternative use of a liftingdevice, wherein a hook is connected to the lifting device. A person oran object can be lifted and lowered via the hook 3J. Hook 3J can furtherbe combined with horizontal rails, wherein the lifting device is movablehorizontally such that the hook is movable in the space not only upwardand downward, but also horizontally.

Movable stage part 3G is a multimedia screen. Multimedia screens can beintegrated statically and movably in a stage in many ways in order toenable visual effects. In the shown embodiment multimedia screen 3G issuspended from a support structure by means of two horizontal guides sothat multimedia screen 3G can be moved forward and rearward.

Movable stage part 3H is a lighting rig on which a plurality of lightsare mounted. The lighting rig can be moved horizontally and/or be movedvertically by means of horizontal guides and/or lifting devices.

The above described examples make it clear that different mechanisms anddevices can be combined with each other in order to obtain a stage withfixed and movable parts. Each movable stage part 3 is connected to anactuator which controls the movement. An actuator can be formed by adevice chosen from various devices, comprising a lifting device, a lift,a guide, a cable, a rolling device, a roll drop, a turntable, a groundrail or other known mechanisms whereby a horizontal, vertical, rotationor combined movement can be realized.

FIG. 1 shows several actuators by way of example. Actuators 4A and 4Bare guides which can move multimedia screen 3G horizontally. Actuator 4Cis a lifting device which can move hook 3J upward and downward. Actuator4D is a lifting device which can tilt walkway 3E. Actuators 4E, 4F and4G are rollers for rolling up cables in order to together move platform3D upward and downward. It will be apparent here that an uneven movementof rollers 4E, 4F and 4G will cause a tilting of platform 3D. In somecases this will be desirable, to a limited extent. Great variations willhowever always be undesirable and can result in overloading of thesystem. Each actuator 4 is provided with a communication module (notshown) for communicating with a server. The operation thereof will befurther elucidated below with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a structure of a system as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 2 shows here particularly the way in which signals are transmittedto the different elements. A plurality of actuators 4A-4G are shown onthe right-hand side of the figure. All actuators are connected to aserver 5. It will be apparent that each of the actuators is provided forthis purpose with a communication module (not shown). Server 5 isprovided with a central communication module (not shown). Thecommunication between the central communication module of server 5 andthe communication modules of actuators 4 can run through a wireconnection and according to different protocols. Alternatively, thecommunication can be implemented wirelessly.

Server 5 is connected to a controller 6. In the figure controller 6 andserver 5 are drawn as separate elements which are connected to eachother. The skilled person will appreciate that such a connection can beimplemented in wired or wireless manner. In an alternative embodiment,not shown, controller 6 is integrated in server 5 and they form onewhole.

Controller 6 is provided with input means 7. Two types of input means 7are shown in FIG. 2. Input means 7A are a keyboard or keypad. Inputmeans 7B are a joystick. A joystick works intuitively for inputtingmovements. Further options for input means are a touchscreen,pushbuttons, pedals, pressure-sensitive sensors and other known inputmeans. Controller 6 further has visualizing means 9. The visualizingmeans provide visual feedback to an operator during operation of theinput means, when the actuators are moved and/or when a movement issimulated.

Controller 6 is further provided for receiving a key 8. For this purposecontroller 6 preferably has a key opening. The key 8 is preferably aphysical key. The key can be analog, such as house keys, can be digital,for instance a USB key or a memory card functioning as a key, or acombination thereof, such as modern car keys. Different keys 8 areprovided which correspond with different safety levels of the stage.Different functions which can be performed with the device of theinvention are here allocated to a safety level. In other words, a safetyparameter which indicates a safety level can be added to every controlsignal which is transmitted to an actuator. The control signal will onlybe transmitted or only be executed when the safety level related to thesafety parameter is activated by a corresponding key 8 in controller 6.This will be elucidated further hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3and 4. Controller 6 preferably further comprises a dead man's switch 18.Working at predetermined safety levels may require dead man's switch 18to be operated. In the event that an operator becomes unwell, the deadman's switch will be released and the system goes into a safety mode.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the manner in which control signals can begenerated and transmitted in the device of the invention. FIG. 3 showshere a timeline 17 for each of a controller 6, a server 5 and anactuator 4. The process starts with connecting a key 8 to controller 6,whereby a safety level 12 is activated. Controller 6 can communicatethis safety level 12 to server 5. Server 5 can optionally (not shown)communicate the safety level 12 on to the actuators 4. This latterallows the actuators to execute, not execute or partially executecontrol signals on the basis of the communicated safety level 12.

After a safety level has been set, an input 20 can be detected via inputmeans 7. This input 20 is converted by controller 6 into a controlsignal 10A, which is transmitted to server 5. A safety parameter iscoupled to the control signal 10A. Server 5 verifies whether the safetyparameter corresponds with the safety level set by key 8. This is shownwith first verification 21. When first verification 21 produces apositive result, the control signal is transmitted to the actuator sothat the actuator is actuated. This is shown with arrow 10B. When anactuator 4 is actuated, the actuator will preferably transmit anactivity signal 13, in which actuator 4 informs server 5 of itsoperation, back to server 5. Activity signals 13 preferably comprise aspeed, position, acceleration and a load of the actuator 4.

Controller 6 will generate a verification signal 14 on the basis of theinput 20, typically taking into consideration additional parameters.This verification signal 14 preferably comprises a verification speed,verification position, verification acceleration and verification loadfor the actuated actuator. This verification signal 14 can be comparedto the activity signal 13 of the actuator 4. This is illustrated insecond verification arrow 22. If it should be the case that verificationsignal 14 differs from the activity signal by a value greater than athreshold difference value, a stop signal 23 can be transmitted. This isbecause a variation greater than a threshold value implies that theactuator 4 has a different reaction to the verification signal 10B thanexpected or that the boundary parameters are different than expected orthat there is a defect or communication problem or that otherirregularities are occurring. In the context of a stage on which peopleare typically present, such an irregularity is absolutely undesired, andcan cause safety risks. The operation of the actuator is thereforestopped. Depending on how the actuator 4 is configured, stopping theoperation can be done by stopping the transmission of control signals.Alternatively, a stop signal can be transmitted to the actuator 4.

In FIG. 3 a memory 19 is further shown on server 5. The memory 19 can beused for diverse purposes, for instance for storing the most recentlyset safety level. Memory 19 is preferably used to store control signals10 which have been tested and validated. Following validation, a lowersafety level can be linked to the control signal. This means that if ahigh safety level is active during initialization, the operator musthave a safety key 8 to activate this high safety level. At this highsafety level the stage is typically closed to people, so that stageparts can move without any immediate risk of injury. This allowsdifferent control signals to be tested during an initialization phase,until a set of validated control signals remains. These are stored inmemory 19 and can then be given a lower safety level. This lower safetylevel corresponds with a key 8 which is used by an operator during anevent. This operator is able to have the validated control signals frommemory 19 be executed. During this lower safety level, people willhowever typically be present on the stage. The above-described methodallows a safe operation of complex movements of stage parts.

FIG. 4 shows the manner in which control signals can be activated andtransmitted in an alternative manner. FIG. 4 shows a diagram which issimilar to the diagram of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4 a first safety key 8A isconnected to controller 6 in order to set a first safety level. Thefirst phase in FIG. 4 is an initialization phase in which communicationbetween controller 6 and server 5 results in groups 16 of actuatorsbeing stored in memory 19. For each group 16 control signals 10 andassociated safety parameters 11 are stored in memory 19. FIG. 4 shows agroup A.

FIG. 4 shows a second phase, after initialization, in which a secondsafety key 8B is connected to the controller. The second safety key 8Bcorresponds to a lower safety level. This phase is the operational phaseor the live phase or the use phase. Via input means 7 an operator canrequest execution of the control signals of group A, as illustrated witharrow A. Server 5 will retrieve corresponding control signals 10 frommemory 19. Server 5 will also verify whether the safety parameter 11corresponds with the safety level set by the key 8B. When this ispositive, control signals 10A, 10B, 10C will be transmitted to thecorresponding actuators 4A, 4B, 4C. Each actuator will also transmit anactivity signal 14A, 14B, 14C to server 5, which will verify theactivities against predetermined verification signals, similarly to theabove described mechanism. This allows a safe operation of a systemduring a live event.

In the figures computing power in server 5 is used to determine controlsignals, verify the safety level and decide whether control signals willbe executed or transmitted. It will be apparent that these functions ofserver 5 can be distributed in the device, wherein for instanceactuators can also have operating restrictions determined on the basisof the safety level. This for instance allows for having the servertransmit control signals which do not correspond to the safety level,wherein each actuator decides on the basis of the safety level whetheror not to execute the control signals. Things such as the maximumoperating speed of an actuator, setting and monitoring of end positionsof an actuator, executing the verification between activity signals andverification signals and so on can be carried out by the actuator, theserver, the controller or combinations thereof.

With respect to the keys 8, there are preferably at least two differentkeys which set different safety levels. A first safety level is thesafety level of the programmer The programmer has rights to test newmovements and to validate movements and store them in the memory. Inother words, the programmer can preset and preprogram movements duringan initialization phase. The second level corresponds to the level ofthe operator. The operator has read rights and rights to performpreprogrammed movements. The operator will typically operate thecontroller during the event. Further keys can additionally be provided,for instance a key of an administrator who has programmer rights butalso has rights to add and remove users, as well as rights to changemore general settings. A key can more preferably also be provided withread rights only, wherein only the status of the different components ofthe system can be read. It is also possible to envisage intermediatesafety levels, wherein movements which were not preprogrammed can beperformed by an operator of the controller, within determined limits.

The skilled person will appreciate on the basis of the above descriptionthat the invention can be embodied in different ways and on the basis ofdifferent principles. The invention is not limited to the abovedescribed embodiments. The above described embodiments and the figuresare purely illustrative and serve only to increase understanding of theinvention. The invention will not therefore be limited to theembodiments described herein, but is defined in the claims.

1. A device for constructing a stage, comprising fixed stage parts andmovable stage parts, wherein the device comprises: a set of actuators,each provided to be physically connected to the movable stage parts andeach comprising a communication module for communicating with a server;the server, which comprises a central communication module forcommunicating with communication modules of the actuators; and acontroller connected to the server, wherein the controller has anoperator interface comprising input means and visualizing means, whereinthe controller and server are configured to generate control signals foreach actuator on the basis of an input via the input means; whereincontrol signals comprise a safety parameter which indicates a safetylevel and wherein an operator can activate different safety levels withdifferent keys, wherein the device is provided to execute controlsignals with a safety parameter which corresponds to the activatedsafety level.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each actuatoris provided to transmit activity signals to the server, and wherein thecontroller and server are configured to generate verification signalsfor each actuator and wherein the server is configured to compare theactivity signals to the verification signals.
 3. The device according toclaim 2, wherein the controller is further provided to set a thresholddifference value and wherein the server is configured to stoptransmitting control signals or to transmit a stop signal when activitysignals vary from the verification signals by a value greater than thethreshold difference value.
 4. The device according to claim 2, whereinthe server is configured to carry out the comparison periodically with aperiod of a maximum of 10 seconds.
 5. The device according to claim 1,wherein an end position can be set via the controller for each actuatorand wherein the server monitors the end position.
 6. The deviceaccording to any claim 1, wherein the set of actuators comprises atleast one or more of a lifting device, a lift, a guide, a cable, arotator, a roll drop, a turntable and a ground rail.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the visualizing means are configured tovisually reproduce the stage and to simulate movements of the actuatorsherein.
 8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the activity signalsand verification signals comprise at least one of a position, speed,load and acceleration.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to form groups of actuators from the set ofactuators and to relate movements of the actuators in the groups to eachother in a time block.
 10. The device according to claim 1, whereindifferent groups of actuators can be formed in different time blocks.11. The device according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of time blockscan be formed for each group.
 12. The device according to claim 9,wherein the controller is configured to generate group verificationsignals for each of the groups and wherein the server is configured tobundle activity signals of actuators of each of the groups and tocompare them to the group verification signals.
 13. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein a dead man's switch is provided on the controller.14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the different keys eachcomprise a physical carrier which is compatible with the controller. 15.A stage comprising at least one fixed stage part and at least onemovable stage part, wherein the movable stage part is connected to adevice according to claim
 1. 16. The device according to claim 2,wherein the server is configured to carry out the comparisonperiodically with a period of a maximum of 5 seconds.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the server is configured to carry out thecomparison periodically with a period of a maximum of 2 seconds